lenny

My Year Time Capsule

user image

Lesson Plan

My Year Time Capsule

Students will reflect on their school year by identifying key achievements and emotions, then create a personalized time capsule to celebrate their growth and prepare for the next year.

This lesson supports first graders with emotional disabilities by helping them process experiences, boost self-esteem through positive reflection, and gain emotional closure before transitioning.

Audience

1st Grade Students with Emotional Disabilities

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Guided reflection paired with creative hands-on activity.

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

  • Review the Time Capsule Reflection Worksheet and familiarize yourself with prompts.
  • Print one worksheet per student.
  • Gather envelopes or small boxes, construction paper, markers, crayons, stickers, and other decorative items.
  • Arrange materials at each student workspace for easy access.

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Welcome students and explain the purpose: reflecting on our year and celebrating growth.
  • Show an example time capsule: a decorated envelope enclosing a reflection sheet.
  • Read aloud the first prompt on the Time Capsule Reflection Worksheet to model completion.

Step 2

Guided Reflection

10 minutes

  • Distribute the reflection worksheets and help students read each prompt:
    • "What is one thing I learned this year?"
    • "What made me proud?"
    • "How did I feel on my first day vs. now?"
  • Offer support:
    • Read prompts aloud for students with decoding challenges.
    • Allow drawing or using emotion stickers for nonverbal responses.
    • Pair students for peer encouragement if needed.

Step 3

Time Capsule Creation

10 minutes

  • Provide construction paper and decorate each envelope/box:
    • Write the student’s name and year on the front.
    • Add drawings, stickers, and colorful designs.
  • Fold reflection worksheets and place them inside the time capsule.
  • Seal or close each capsule, reinforcing the sense of a special keepsake.

Step 4

Sharing & Closure

5 minutes

  • Invite volunteers to share one thing they wrote or drew from their reflection.
  • Celebrate each student’s growth with positive feedback.
  • Collect time capsules (or let students take them home) to reinforce ownership.
  • Assessment: use student worksheets and participation during sharing to note understanding and emotional engagement.
lenny

Slide Deck

My Year Time Capsule

Tier 1 Classroom • 1st Grade • 30 Minutes

Welcome the class warmly. Explain that today we’ll look back on our year, remember what we’ve learned, and make a special keepsake called a time capsule.

Lesson Objectives

  • Reflect on what you learned this year
  • Identify moments you felt proud
  • Create a special time capsule to celebrate your growth

Point to each objective as you read. Emphasize reflection, pride, and creativity.

Materials Needed

Show the actual worksheet if possible. Remind students to use all decoration supplies.

Reflection Prompts

  • What is one thing I learned this year?
  • What made me proud?
  • How did I feel on my first day vs. now?

Read each prompt slowly. Offer to help students who need reading support or prefer to draw their answers.

Create Your Time Capsule

  • Decorate your envelope/box with your name, year, drawings, and stickers
  • Fold your completed worksheet and place it inside
  • Seal or close your capsule so it feels special

Circulate and praise effort. Encourage unique decorations and neat folding of the worksheet.

Share & Celebrate

  • Volunteer to share one thing you wrote or drew
  • Cheer for each other’s growth
  • Take your time capsule home or store it safely

Invite volunteers. Give each student a round of applause. Explain where to keep their capsule or when to take it home.

lenny

Worksheet

Time Capsule Reflection Worksheet

Name: ____________________________ Date: ________________

Instructions: Read each question. You can write your answer with words or draw pictures and use stickers if you like!

1. What is one thing I learned this year?








2. What made me proud?








3. How did you feel on your first day? Draw or put an emotion sticker below:












4. How do you feel now? Draw or put an emotion sticker below:















Keep this sheet safe! It will go inside your special time capsule.

lenny
lenny